FT-IR SPECTROMETRY FOR THE SOLID-SOLUTION INTERFACE

The identification of adsorbed species and intermediates and the variation of their concentration on the surface with electrode potential and solution concentration can be made accurately by the FT-IR spectroscopic method combined with parallel polarization of incident IR beam. The polarization modulation technique, when combined with the FT-IR, should enhance the sensitivity of the spectral measurement further. Due to the uncertainty in the determination of optical properties of different interfacial regions, it is difficult to ascertain the absolute quantities of adsorbed species by the FT-IR. However, changes in the quantities can be accurately determined as a function of potential and concentration. With the help of a complementary methods, such as radiotracers, the spectral data may be normalized at one point to get information on the numerical occupancy of the surface. Direct evidence for the orientation of water of the electrode seems to be obtainable.